Tiny House Hunters (2014–…): Season 4, Episode 19 - Flying High in a Tiny House - full transcript
Home buyers
across the country
are saying goodbye
to big houses...
Wow! Look at that!
That is tiny!
...and hello to small spaces.
With the push of a button,
this house contracts
to half its size.
- Wow!
- What is this?
This is the bedroom.
- It's a fold-down sink.
- That's so cool!
Wow, this just got weird.
But the smaller the house,
the bigger the challenge
fitting inside.
It'd be six of us
up here.
Where am I
going to sleep?
- This swings back.
- Whoa!
- That's the loft.
- Whoa!
I think I see
a problem already.
Oh, my gosh!
It is so cute!
Colorado-based
flight attendant Jenny
is used to working
in tight spaces.
And there's a shower
in the kitchen!
Can somebody
get me a drink, please?
- It is not...
- God! Watch this!
Oh, my God!
Ouch!
This would be the toilet.
Squeezing her entire life
into a tiny home's
going to be a challenge.
It's a little bit claustrophobic.
You know, there's just--
there's no way.
You want this one?
Oh, oh, oh!
Stop it!
Come on! Come on!
Come on!
My name is Jenny.
I live in Elizabeth, Colorado.
I'm a flight attendant.
I absolutely love doing it.
It's the chance
to travel around.
It's no 9-to-5 job.
It's different people,
different places every day.
Step up.
My favorite thing
to do is spend time
with my horse at the barn,
trail riding,
going cross-country.
We train for local
dressage shows,
and I have a Boston Terrier,
my Sophie.
I love to take her with me
everywhere I go.
Right now,
I'm living with a friend.
She's letting me rent out
the basement of her house.
But with a career
that requires her
to be away from home
for an average of two weeks
out of every month,
Jenny's decided to make
a big life change.
She's going tiny
for the flexibility
it will offer her.
Having a tiny house
is the perfect answer for me.
Horses are a hobby.
They're a very expensive hobby.
And, really, the only way
that I can afford
to be able
to be close to him is,
I think, to go tiny.
I can put my tiny house
on the 40 acres
where I'm stabling my horse.
I can take my house with me
if I want to go show my horse
in Florida for the season.
- How's he look?
- Looks great.
- Good.
- You're doing good.
He's got his head up, but he's
stepping out pretty good.
My best friend, Christy,
is coming up from Texas,
and we're going
to hit this thing.
Okay, he just wants
to go outside so bad.
Yeah, he wants
to play with his friends.
I absolutely know that Christy
is the right person
to bring in on this
because she is
my voice of reason,
and I know that she will help me
make a good decision,
not for just tomorrow,
but for 10 years from now.
Yeah, he looks great.
Well, I'm excited
about Jenny going tiny.
I love that she can
just condense her lifestyle.
Just being able
to come home after
a really stressful work week,
just to be able
to not have the cleaning
and all the hectic stuff
that takes into a large home,
I think it's just going
to really fit her lifestyle.
You know what?
A Crock-Pot and, like,
one little burner,
a toaster oven,
and I'm good.
My budget is $42,000.
Hopefully, I can stay
real close to that.
In terms of size,
she'd like no larger
than 300 square feet.
So have you thought
about what size of house?
I want it big enough to live
in comfortably so that,
you know,
people can come and visit.
I'm looking for
a whimsical country house
that blends in with the scenery,
doesn't look out of place.
I want something
that looks like a house,
like a little
down-scaled house.
You like something with
built-in?
No, I don't like
that built-in stuff
because then that's
permanent.
You can't change it
around again.
I want to be able
to have my own furniture,
and I want to be able
to arrange it
and rearrange it however I want.
I want lots of light,
big windows.
Well, you definitely
want to capture
the moon and the stars here
and definitely
that natural light.
I'd love to have
a little soaking tub.
I want to have stairs
because just there's no way
Sophie can do a ladder.
I would like to have just
a bright, open loft
that feels cozy but that
it doesn't feel confining.
I feel really lucky.
My friend, who is a Realtor,
Ethan, he said
he's got a couple properties
that he thinks
I'm really going to like,
and we're going to get busy
on this and get this done.
So Jenny and I are good friends,
and I know what she's looking
for in a tiny house,
and I'd like to say that I'm
a pretty good expert
at structure, design,
that kind of thing.
I think what I'm looking forward
to most is having my own space,
having my own home.
I've never had
my own home before.
It's just my ticket to freedom.
First up,
Ethan wants Jenny to see
a tiny cedar shake cottage.
This is your storybook
cedar shake cottage.
It's absolutely
beautiful. It's so me already.
It really has a nice,
whimsical kind of feel.
These cedar shakes,
are they good in Colorado,
- weather-wise?
- Absolutely, yeah.
Cedar is wonderful
in the weather.
How big is it?
- So this is 300 square feet.
- Okay, that's big.
How much
is this little cottage?
So you guys are going
to love me for this one.
It's $37,900.
Oh, that is so cool.
Oh, my gosh!
It is so cute!
It is. I love
these refurbished floors.
They're awesome.
Yeah, that's kind of
your antique feel.
This is a nice space.
I really like it.
- It is.
We have some fantastic little
cubbies here and a good nook.
I like how it's by
the big windows like that.
It's a nice place to sit
and read or to sew.
Well, and look.
So you take this,
and you pick it up,
and you have a great
little sitting area
you can eat at
or do some business.
- And look.
- Oh, my gosh.
Bring these out
and be able to eat.
That's great! That's, like,
storage and...
- All in one.
- Oh, my God.
- Yeah.
- That's great.
You know, that's cute.
I'm not into built-ins,
but this is a really
sweet little nook.
So then, with this,
just take this down,
and it gives you
your open space.
That's good.
This is tiny.
Yeah, it kind of closes
you in on this here.
It's a little bit claustrophobic.
The space itself
is really deep...
- Right.
- ...but imagine on a mattress.
You know, there's just--
There's no way.
It's a pretty open space,
but it's kind of weird
that this ladder is right here
in the middle of the room.
Yeah, this ladder is nice
and easily removed.
That's good because
that's weird.
Yeah. And then the angle
of the ladder,
if you notice, right over here,
you can set it right there,
and it goes out of the way.
That's perfect, but I really
need stairs for Soph.
She's not going to be able to
make it up and down that ladder.
We are under budget,
so you could easily
put some stairs in
and still be okay.
I love all of these
little angles.
It really is like a little
Hansel-and-Gretel house.
- Yeah.
- It is.
But, as I'm taking
a look around,
this is a massive color palette
that they have gone with.
- It's a little overwhelming.
- It's a little loud.
Yeah.
Paint is an easy fix.
Well, that's true.
All right.
You know, the kitchen
area's really nice.
It's just
a really warm feeling.
Yeah, it's totally you,
great sink.
You've got a great area
over here to surface-cook with.
I like it.
Look at this
huge shower.
And there's a shower
in the kitchen.
That's really weird.
Could somebody give me
a drink, please?
Yeah, it's a little weird
to have a shower
right in the kitchen.
- Look at your antique doors.
- It's beautiful.
Closet?
Let's look.
Who knows?
Oh, my God.
This would be the toilet.
Yes, it's
a water closet.
It is a water closet.
It offers you a nice view
in the window.
- There you go.
- Well, yes.
It's a little primitive.
But it is plumbed
for a compost toilet,
which would be
great for you.
Or, if you decided
to do a normal toilet,
I'm just glad there's
a window in there
because that's
a really small room.
That's great.
So I know this is a weird
layout with the shower
and the water closet
kind of in the middle,
but what it affords you
is this back area.
I know you don't like
the built-ins.
Yeah, these are the exact
kind of built-ins that I hate.
They just look fabricated.
I like the space.
I hate the built-ins.
Well, we could
take those built-ins out
and put you, like,
a little Murphy bed
for a guest room back here.
I could have a little desk.
I could put my wardrobe in here
and have a little
dressing area.
That part is cool.
I like the size of the kitchen.
I love these woods.
A lot of stuff going on in here,
a lot of crazy color.
You know, you don't like
the built-ins,
but those particular
ones work for you.
Absolutely.
We are really going
to need some stairs.
Definitely.
You know, and that
little loft up there,
it's kind of cramped.
Well, and I know that the
bathroom is kind of strange
because it's in the middle,
but it gives you that
nice space in the back.
We're under budget, so kind of
make it however you want.
Ethan's found Jenny
a tiny house with a layout
that may be better for her,
but Christy's not so sure.
Well, I think it's a little boxy
for you, for your style.
Colorado-based
flight attendant Jenny
is away most of the week working
and wants as little house
as possible to maintain
when she's back at home
as well the ability
to live closer to her horse.
Her best friend, Christy,
has flown in from Texas
to help her
find the perfect tiny home.
Guiding her on the search
is Jenny's friend
and real estate agent
Ethan Panariso.
So far, he's shown them
a cedar shake storybook cottage
with plenty of the whimsical
details that Jenny loves.
Although it's within her
$42,000 budget,
she'd need to add stairs
for her dog, Sophie,
and she didn't like
that the shower was
so close to the kitchen.
Ethan is now taking them
to see a tiny house
that Jenny could customize
to her liking.
Well, I think
it's a little boxy for you,
for your style.
Because it's like
a big container.
Yes.
Yes, but there are
the French doors.
You see the French doors
on the front?
I love that.
I do love that.
I like it. I think that
the color softens up the lines.
So how big is it?
So this is
262 square feet total.
And how much is it?
So, remember,
this is a model.
It's 55,000.
- Ah.
- Of course.
But we can take
some things away,
okay, to make that
a little bit better,
but I think the model
is going to show you
a lot of great things
that you can do to a tiny house.
Okay?
Oh, my God.
I love it.
I love the wood floors.
- These are awesome.
- What kind of wood is this?
That is pine, and it's pine
tongue and groove.
- It's really pretty.
- It is.
I love the fact that,
once you step in,
it's warm, natural woods.
It gives you a home feeling.
Yeah, you've got lots
of good space in here.
You can already kind of see that
you can put a couch in here.
I like this space a lot,
but I don't like that you walk
into this built-in.
Like, this whole kitchen part
just feels really molded to me.
I think the built-ins
take up space,
You have to recognize, though,
you get lots of
good storage this way,
especially being
that you're going tiny.
I know, but if this
wasn't here for storage,
I could bring in
my own storage,
which has that real home
country antique
that has a heritage to it.
This is shiny.
Taking these away, that'll
remove $2,100, roughly. Okay?
You got lots of good work space
there, so I like that.
This countertop
is an upgrade, too,
so you could actually do
something different with that,
reduce your cost with that.
I like that they
carried the wood in here.
It's really pretty.
Yeah, this is nice.
Right into
this giant shower.
Yeah, I know
you wanted a tub,
but it is a nice
full-size shower.
- Can I get a tub?
- Yeah, it's a model, remember,
so we could probably
get you a tub.
That'll work.
Cool.
So I'm not super sure
about these steps
because I don't think
Sophie could do it.
- It is not--
- Oh, my God.
- Watch this.
- Oh.
Low ceiling.
- There is, like, no head space.
- Nope, there's not.
There is a lot of head space
down here in the kitchen,
so if we drop that and reduce
the head space in the kitchen,
you might be able to get it
to work up there.
That would have
to be a definite.
I really love
the charm of this wood.
It feels really good.
You have a nice,
open space
once we remove
these cabinets out.
You're going to be able
to do a lot of things here.
It's got some great space.
Get rid
of the built-ins,
maybe change a little bit
of the kitchen.
We can just change
these stairs into steps.
And I know
you wanted a tub.
Remember, it's a model,
so we can get you a tub.
I really like this house,
but all these little things
are starting to add up.
If we can just look
at something maybe
a little bit more
in my price range,
I'd be a lot more comfortable.
Ethan has found them
a cost-conscious tiny home,
but it's more
of a blank slate.
It doesn't have a kitchen.
It doesn't have a bathtub.
Like, I don't cook
that much because
I'm on the road
all the time. Right.
- You come home to relax.
- Yeah.
Wanting minimal space
to have to maintain
and more time to spend
with her horse
and her dog, Sophie,
flight attendant Jenny
is downsizing into a tiny home
in Elizabeth, Colorado.
She plans
on parking the house
on the farm
where her horse lives.
With her friend, Christy,
along to help,
she's seen a cedar shake cottage
with all the charm
she could ask for.
It's well within
her $42,000 budget,
but she would need
to add stairs for Sophie
and reconfigure
the bathroom design.
A fully customizable cabin
had the warm feel
that Jenny likes,
but it's above her budget
and would still require
some costly alterations.
Friend and real estate
agent Ethan Panariso
is now showing Jenny
a simpler option
that's more
within her price range.
All right, guys,
so I have
a unique tiny house
to show you.
I mean, it's a lot of white,
but I like it. It's big.
This is actually called
a traditional cottage.
It's really kind of plain.
It isn't that whimsical, soft,
flowy fairy tale kind of thing
that I'm looking for.
But some of these little angles,
maybe work with that.
So this tiny house
is 264 square feet total.
That's awesome.
So how much is it?
- So it's $44,000.
- Yeah, of course it is.
And I know that's
a little over budget,
but there are
some things inside
that I think you're
really going to love.
I'm going to have
to really, really love.
Yes, you're really
going to have to love it.
Let's go check it out.
- Oh.
- Well...
- This is airy and light.
- And white.
It doesn't feel
very whimsical.
It just feels very plain.
This tiny house is
pretty much a blank slate,
so Jenny could literally
come into this tiny house
and pretty much
make it everything
that she would want it to be.
I like that it has two lofts.
That's super cool.
And the very first thing
when you walk in the door
is a built-in.
- It's small.
I like that the white
makes it airy,
but it's not
very whimsical.
But you could actually add
your own little pop of color.
It'd be great.
Yeah, and it has
a lot of character.
It's got tongue and groove,
and then you have that archway.
- That is really pretty.
- Yeah.
How do you get up anywhere?
You can do a ladder,
or you can do stairs.
I know you want to do stairs
because of Sophie.
Right, but again,
that's going to be
a little bit
more of an added cost.
How much does that cost?
Maybe 500, 600 bucks.
You can pretty much do
whatever you want to.
You can put kitchen
over here.
You could have
maybe a TV here.
Well, clearly, this is where
the kitchen's going to be
because it's where
the hookups are.
So it doesn't come
with a kitchen?
No, it does not
come with a kitchen.
- Okay.
- Well, what about this?
I mean, does the washer
and dryer come with this house?
Yes, the washer and dryer does
come with it, which is great.
So that's not
an added cost.
Will they finish this?
Will this be finished,
or is this what
it's supposed to look like?
You can change it.
You can always paint it.
Right, but again, remember,
anything
that you add to it
is just going to be
an additional cost.
- Right.
- I love the house.
I love that it's the right kind
of bones that I like,
but I'd have to put
in everything.
It's going to cost me
so much money.
This is a huge shower.
Right, it's nice.
It's like a full
industrial shower.
- It's not a bathtub.
- Well, that's okay.
You've got
a big space there,
and it gives you
more floor space.
I like it.
Oh, my God.
Cool.
It is really big up here.
It's a giant area.
I mean, it could easily
hold a queen-size bed.
This is really cool up here
because, from down there,
I couldn't see this neat
architectural feature
of the A-frame and the roof.
It really gives it, like,
a little storybook feeling.
You know, it's cool.
It's a beautiful space.
Doesn't have a kitchen,
it doesn't have a bathtub.
It's built solid.
You have great vinyl windows
so that it's insulated well.
I'm thinking it's
a big white blank slate.
I can try to make something
whimsical out of it.
I think you can
make it work.
With a variety of
tiny options on the table,
it's time for Jenny to decide
which one fits her best.
What are you
going to do?
I don't know.
It's such a tough decision.
Our house hunters
are moving on up
to a much smaller space.
Could you live
in a tiny house?
With a budget
of $42,000,
Colorado-based flight attendant
Jenny is going tiny.
After seeing several
different ways to downsize,
she's ready to choose
a place to call home.
It's a lot
of choices for you.
I'm excited.
I had no idea there would be
the variety out there.
What do you think
about that cedar shake house?
I liked it.
It had that little
storybook thing going on,
under budget.
At $37,900,
it's 300 square feet.
Gave you the most
floor space.
Kind of a homey feel,
especially in the kitchen.
- The wood floors.
- Right.
But, once you got
upstairs into that loft,
- it was, like, crazy.
- Right.
Well, how did you feel
about the teal one?
It was different.
At 262 square feet,
it's priced at $55,000.
It didn't have any windows
on the outside, $55,000?
But just remember
there's a lot of things
that we can change
to lower that budget.
It felt good on the inside
because it had
all that warm wood,
the pine that wrapped
around the ceiling.
- It really did.
- I liked that it did that.
So what are you thinking
about the white cottage?
Kind of plain.
Kind of plain
but just a blank slate.
I'm kind of cool with that,
264 square feet...
only $2,000 over
budget at $44,000.
It is some added-in costs
that I kind of didn't want
to have thrown at me.
It's such a tough decision.
They all have so many
great things about them.
I loved the feel
of that teal cabin...
Yeah.
...but I think it's just
too far over budget.
I think it is, too.
I'm feeling like I can make
that little white cottage
into my little
whimsical house.
Yes, you can.
I can.
I love it.
That's my favorite.
Good.
Let's call Ethan.
I love it. Let's do it.
Oh, my gosh. Jen, this
place is coming together.
- I love it.
- Thanks, babe.
This is more something
that you should do
because we know
how uncoordinated I am.
I've only been living in here
for about three weeks.
I still have some things
that I want to get done,
but it's really comfortable.
Oh! I hung
my first thing.
My final price on
my tiny cottage was $44,000,
just barely over budget,
and I love it.
I was able to use
my antique buffet
as my whole kitchen piece.
I put my copper sink down in it,
and the cabinets
in it are serving
as my storage for my plates
and my pantry.
I have a really cool
set of stairs.
They have drawers that pull out
on the front steps.
I was able to incorporate
that for storage
and then to use my armoire
wardrobe as another step,
and then I step up
into the loft.
It's my pieces, but they're
serving a dual purpose.
Come on.
Head up, head up.
Come on.
A lot of my going tiny
had to do with
how close
I could get to my horse.
The farm owner out here
is absolutely fantastic.
He has rented me
a little piece of my own.
I am on the most beautiful
piece of property.
I have views of my horse barn
and of the mountains.
Being on horse property
is about as good as it gets.
So far, my favorite space
is right on my couch,
looking out my windows.
- So how's that loft?
- Seriously, I can make my bed.
Oh, wow.
You have all kinds
of space up here.
Up.
Come, come, come.
Look.
Come on.
Oh, come on.
Sophie digs living tiny.
She's got a dog door.
She's in and out all day long,
and she loves it.
This chandelier really gives
this room some character.
It's just
absolutely perfect.
You did such
a fantastic job.
You know, a couple more projects
and it's going to be great.
I have no regrets on going tiny.
Feels like home.
The best advice
I could give anybody
if they told me they wanted
to go tiny is do it.
I love it. I love my
whimsical little cottage.
across the country
are saying goodbye
to big houses...
Wow! Look at that!
That is tiny!
...and hello to small spaces.
With the push of a button,
this house contracts
to half its size.
- Wow!
- What is this?
This is the bedroom.
- It's a fold-down sink.
- That's so cool!
Wow, this just got weird.
But the smaller the house,
the bigger the challenge
fitting inside.
It'd be six of us
up here.
Where am I
going to sleep?
- This swings back.
- Whoa!
- That's the loft.
- Whoa!
I think I see
a problem already.
Oh, my gosh!
It is so cute!
Colorado-based
flight attendant Jenny
is used to working
in tight spaces.
And there's a shower
in the kitchen!
Can somebody
get me a drink, please?
- It is not...
- God! Watch this!
Oh, my God!
Ouch!
This would be the toilet.
Squeezing her entire life
into a tiny home's
going to be a challenge.
It's a little bit claustrophobic.
You know, there's just--
there's no way.
You want this one?
Oh, oh, oh!
Stop it!
Come on! Come on!
Come on!
My name is Jenny.
I live in Elizabeth, Colorado.
I'm a flight attendant.
I absolutely love doing it.
It's the chance
to travel around.
It's no 9-to-5 job.
It's different people,
different places every day.
Step up.
My favorite thing
to do is spend time
with my horse at the barn,
trail riding,
going cross-country.
We train for local
dressage shows,
and I have a Boston Terrier,
my Sophie.
I love to take her with me
everywhere I go.
Right now,
I'm living with a friend.
She's letting me rent out
the basement of her house.
But with a career
that requires her
to be away from home
for an average of two weeks
out of every month,
Jenny's decided to make
a big life change.
She's going tiny
for the flexibility
it will offer her.
Having a tiny house
is the perfect answer for me.
Horses are a hobby.
They're a very expensive hobby.
And, really, the only way
that I can afford
to be able
to be close to him is,
I think, to go tiny.
I can put my tiny house
on the 40 acres
where I'm stabling my horse.
I can take my house with me
if I want to go show my horse
in Florida for the season.
- How's he look?
- Looks great.
- Good.
- You're doing good.
He's got his head up, but he's
stepping out pretty good.
My best friend, Christy,
is coming up from Texas,
and we're going
to hit this thing.
Okay, he just wants
to go outside so bad.
Yeah, he wants
to play with his friends.
I absolutely know that Christy
is the right person
to bring in on this
because she is
my voice of reason,
and I know that she will help me
make a good decision,
not for just tomorrow,
but for 10 years from now.
Yeah, he looks great.
Well, I'm excited
about Jenny going tiny.
I love that she can
just condense her lifestyle.
Just being able
to come home after
a really stressful work week,
just to be able
to not have the cleaning
and all the hectic stuff
that takes into a large home,
I think it's just going
to really fit her lifestyle.
You know what?
A Crock-Pot and, like,
one little burner,
a toaster oven,
and I'm good.
My budget is $42,000.
Hopefully, I can stay
real close to that.
In terms of size,
she'd like no larger
than 300 square feet.
So have you thought
about what size of house?
I want it big enough to live
in comfortably so that,
you know,
people can come and visit.
I'm looking for
a whimsical country house
that blends in with the scenery,
doesn't look out of place.
I want something
that looks like a house,
like a little
down-scaled house.
You like something with
built-in?
No, I don't like
that built-in stuff
because then that's
permanent.
You can't change it
around again.
I want to be able
to have my own furniture,
and I want to be able
to arrange it
and rearrange it however I want.
I want lots of light,
big windows.
Well, you definitely
want to capture
the moon and the stars here
and definitely
that natural light.
I'd love to have
a little soaking tub.
I want to have stairs
because just there's no way
Sophie can do a ladder.
I would like to have just
a bright, open loft
that feels cozy but that
it doesn't feel confining.
I feel really lucky.
My friend, who is a Realtor,
Ethan, he said
he's got a couple properties
that he thinks
I'm really going to like,
and we're going to get busy
on this and get this done.
So Jenny and I are good friends,
and I know what she's looking
for in a tiny house,
and I'd like to say that I'm
a pretty good expert
at structure, design,
that kind of thing.
I think what I'm looking forward
to most is having my own space,
having my own home.
I've never had
my own home before.
It's just my ticket to freedom.
First up,
Ethan wants Jenny to see
a tiny cedar shake cottage.
This is your storybook
cedar shake cottage.
It's absolutely
beautiful. It's so me already.
It really has a nice,
whimsical kind of feel.
These cedar shakes,
are they good in Colorado,
- weather-wise?
- Absolutely, yeah.
Cedar is wonderful
in the weather.
How big is it?
- So this is 300 square feet.
- Okay, that's big.
How much
is this little cottage?
So you guys are going
to love me for this one.
It's $37,900.
Oh, that is so cool.
Oh, my gosh!
It is so cute!
It is. I love
these refurbished floors.
They're awesome.
Yeah, that's kind of
your antique feel.
This is a nice space.
I really like it.
- It is.
We have some fantastic little
cubbies here and a good nook.
I like how it's by
the big windows like that.
It's a nice place to sit
and read or to sew.
Well, and look.
So you take this,
and you pick it up,
and you have a great
little sitting area
you can eat at
or do some business.
- And look.
- Oh, my gosh.
Bring these out
and be able to eat.
That's great! That's, like,
storage and...
- All in one.
- Oh, my God.
- Yeah.
- That's great.
You know, that's cute.
I'm not into built-ins,
but this is a really
sweet little nook.
So then, with this,
just take this down,
and it gives you
your open space.
That's good.
This is tiny.
Yeah, it kind of closes
you in on this here.
It's a little bit claustrophobic.
The space itself
is really deep...
- Right.
- ...but imagine on a mattress.
You know, there's just--
There's no way.
It's a pretty open space,
but it's kind of weird
that this ladder is right here
in the middle of the room.
Yeah, this ladder is nice
and easily removed.
That's good because
that's weird.
Yeah. And then the angle
of the ladder,
if you notice, right over here,
you can set it right there,
and it goes out of the way.
That's perfect, but I really
need stairs for Soph.
She's not going to be able to
make it up and down that ladder.
We are under budget,
so you could easily
put some stairs in
and still be okay.
I love all of these
little angles.
It really is like a little
Hansel-and-Gretel house.
- Yeah.
- It is.
But, as I'm taking
a look around,
this is a massive color palette
that they have gone with.
- It's a little overwhelming.
- It's a little loud.
Yeah.
Paint is an easy fix.
Well, that's true.
All right.
You know, the kitchen
area's really nice.
It's just
a really warm feeling.
Yeah, it's totally you,
great sink.
You've got a great area
over here to surface-cook with.
I like it.
Look at this
huge shower.
And there's a shower
in the kitchen.
That's really weird.
Could somebody give me
a drink, please?
Yeah, it's a little weird
to have a shower
right in the kitchen.
- Look at your antique doors.
- It's beautiful.
Closet?
Let's look.
Who knows?
Oh, my God.
This would be the toilet.
Yes, it's
a water closet.
It is a water closet.
It offers you a nice view
in the window.
- There you go.
- Well, yes.
It's a little primitive.
But it is plumbed
for a compost toilet,
which would be
great for you.
Or, if you decided
to do a normal toilet,
I'm just glad there's
a window in there
because that's
a really small room.
That's great.
So I know this is a weird
layout with the shower
and the water closet
kind of in the middle,
but what it affords you
is this back area.
I know you don't like
the built-ins.
Yeah, these are the exact
kind of built-ins that I hate.
They just look fabricated.
I like the space.
I hate the built-ins.
Well, we could
take those built-ins out
and put you, like,
a little Murphy bed
for a guest room back here.
I could have a little desk.
I could put my wardrobe in here
and have a little
dressing area.
That part is cool.
I like the size of the kitchen.
I love these woods.
A lot of stuff going on in here,
a lot of crazy color.
You know, you don't like
the built-ins,
but those particular
ones work for you.
Absolutely.
We are really going
to need some stairs.
Definitely.
You know, and that
little loft up there,
it's kind of cramped.
Well, and I know that the
bathroom is kind of strange
because it's in the middle,
but it gives you that
nice space in the back.
We're under budget, so kind of
make it however you want.
Ethan's found Jenny
a tiny house with a layout
that may be better for her,
but Christy's not so sure.
Well, I think it's a little boxy
for you, for your style.
Colorado-based
flight attendant Jenny
is away most of the week working
and wants as little house
as possible to maintain
when she's back at home
as well the ability
to live closer to her horse.
Her best friend, Christy,
has flown in from Texas
to help her
find the perfect tiny home.
Guiding her on the search
is Jenny's friend
and real estate agent
Ethan Panariso.
So far, he's shown them
a cedar shake storybook cottage
with plenty of the whimsical
details that Jenny loves.
Although it's within her
$42,000 budget,
she'd need to add stairs
for her dog, Sophie,
and she didn't like
that the shower was
so close to the kitchen.
Ethan is now taking them
to see a tiny house
that Jenny could customize
to her liking.
Well, I think
it's a little boxy for you,
for your style.
Because it's like
a big container.
Yes.
Yes, but there are
the French doors.
You see the French doors
on the front?
I love that.
I do love that.
I like it. I think that
the color softens up the lines.
So how big is it?
So this is
262 square feet total.
And how much is it?
So, remember,
this is a model.
It's 55,000.
- Ah.
- Of course.
But we can take
some things away,
okay, to make that
a little bit better,
but I think the model
is going to show you
a lot of great things
that you can do to a tiny house.
Okay?
Oh, my God.
I love it.
I love the wood floors.
- These are awesome.
- What kind of wood is this?
That is pine, and it's pine
tongue and groove.
- It's really pretty.
- It is.
I love the fact that,
once you step in,
it's warm, natural woods.
It gives you a home feeling.
Yeah, you've got lots
of good space in here.
You can already kind of see that
you can put a couch in here.
I like this space a lot,
but I don't like that you walk
into this built-in.
Like, this whole kitchen part
just feels really molded to me.
I think the built-ins
take up space,
You have to recognize, though,
you get lots of
good storage this way,
especially being
that you're going tiny.
I know, but if this
wasn't here for storage,
I could bring in
my own storage,
which has that real home
country antique
that has a heritage to it.
This is shiny.
Taking these away, that'll
remove $2,100, roughly. Okay?
You got lots of good work space
there, so I like that.
This countertop
is an upgrade, too,
so you could actually do
something different with that,
reduce your cost with that.
I like that they
carried the wood in here.
It's really pretty.
Yeah, this is nice.
Right into
this giant shower.
Yeah, I know
you wanted a tub,
but it is a nice
full-size shower.
- Can I get a tub?
- Yeah, it's a model, remember,
so we could probably
get you a tub.
That'll work.
Cool.
So I'm not super sure
about these steps
because I don't think
Sophie could do it.
- It is not--
- Oh, my God.
- Watch this.
- Oh.
Low ceiling.
- There is, like, no head space.
- Nope, there's not.
There is a lot of head space
down here in the kitchen,
so if we drop that and reduce
the head space in the kitchen,
you might be able to get it
to work up there.
That would have
to be a definite.
I really love
the charm of this wood.
It feels really good.
You have a nice,
open space
once we remove
these cabinets out.
You're going to be able
to do a lot of things here.
It's got some great space.
Get rid
of the built-ins,
maybe change a little bit
of the kitchen.
We can just change
these stairs into steps.
And I know
you wanted a tub.
Remember, it's a model,
so we can get you a tub.
I really like this house,
but all these little things
are starting to add up.
If we can just look
at something maybe
a little bit more
in my price range,
I'd be a lot more comfortable.
Ethan has found them
a cost-conscious tiny home,
but it's more
of a blank slate.
It doesn't have a kitchen.
It doesn't have a bathtub.
Like, I don't cook
that much because
I'm on the road
all the time. Right.
- You come home to relax.
- Yeah.
Wanting minimal space
to have to maintain
and more time to spend
with her horse
and her dog, Sophie,
flight attendant Jenny
is downsizing into a tiny home
in Elizabeth, Colorado.
She plans
on parking the house
on the farm
where her horse lives.
With her friend, Christy,
along to help,
she's seen a cedar shake cottage
with all the charm
she could ask for.
It's well within
her $42,000 budget,
but she would need
to add stairs for Sophie
and reconfigure
the bathroom design.
A fully customizable cabin
had the warm feel
that Jenny likes,
but it's above her budget
and would still require
some costly alterations.
Friend and real estate
agent Ethan Panariso
is now showing Jenny
a simpler option
that's more
within her price range.
All right, guys,
so I have
a unique tiny house
to show you.
I mean, it's a lot of white,
but I like it. It's big.
This is actually called
a traditional cottage.
It's really kind of plain.
It isn't that whimsical, soft,
flowy fairy tale kind of thing
that I'm looking for.
But some of these little angles,
maybe work with that.
So this tiny house
is 264 square feet total.
That's awesome.
So how much is it?
- So it's $44,000.
- Yeah, of course it is.
And I know that's
a little over budget,
but there are
some things inside
that I think you're
really going to love.
I'm going to have
to really, really love.
Yes, you're really
going to have to love it.
Let's go check it out.
- Oh.
- Well...
- This is airy and light.
- And white.
It doesn't feel
very whimsical.
It just feels very plain.
This tiny house is
pretty much a blank slate,
so Jenny could literally
come into this tiny house
and pretty much
make it everything
that she would want it to be.
I like that it has two lofts.
That's super cool.
And the very first thing
when you walk in the door
is a built-in.
- It's small.
I like that the white
makes it airy,
but it's not
very whimsical.
But you could actually add
your own little pop of color.
It'd be great.
Yeah, and it has
a lot of character.
It's got tongue and groove,
and then you have that archway.
- That is really pretty.
- Yeah.
How do you get up anywhere?
You can do a ladder,
or you can do stairs.
I know you want to do stairs
because of Sophie.
Right, but again,
that's going to be
a little bit
more of an added cost.
How much does that cost?
Maybe 500, 600 bucks.
You can pretty much do
whatever you want to.
You can put kitchen
over here.
You could have
maybe a TV here.
Well, clearly, this is where
the kitchen's going to be
because it's where
the hookups are.
So it doesn't come
with a kitchen?
No, it does not
come with a kitchen.
- Okay.
- Well, what about this?
I mean, does the washer
and dryer come with this house?
Yes, the washer and dryer does
come with it, which is great.
So that's not
an added cost.
Will they finish this?
Will this be finished,
or is this what
it's supposed to look like?
You can change it.
You can always paint it.
Right, but again, remember,
anything
that you add to it
is just going to be
an additional cost.
- Right.
- I love the house.
I love that it's the right kind
of bones that I like,
but I'd have to put
in everything.
It's going to cost me
so much money.
This is a huge shower.
Right, it's nice.
It's like a full
industrial shower.
- It's not a bathtub.
- Well, that's okay.
You've got
a big space there,
and it gives you
more floor space.
I like it.
Oh, my God.
Cool.
It is really big up here.
It's a giant area.
I mean, it could easily
hold a queen-size bed.
This is really cool up here
because, from down there,
I couldn't see this neat
architectural feature
of the A-frame and the roof.
It really gives it, like,
a little storybook feeling.
You know, it's cool.
It's a beautiful space.
Doesn't have a kitchen,
it doesn't have a bathtub.
It's built solid.
You have great vinyl windows
so that it's insulated well.
I'm thinking it's
a big white blank slate.
I can try to make something
whimsical out of it.
I think you can
make it work.
With a variety of
tiny options on the table,
it's time for Jenny to decide
which one fits her best.
What are you
going to do?
I don't know.
It's such a tough decision.
Our house hunters
are moving on up
to a much smaller space.
Could you live
in a tiny house?
With a budget
of $42,000,
Colorado-based flight attendant
Jenny is going tiny.
After seeing several
different ways to downsize,
she's ready to choose
a place to call home.
It's a lot
of choices for you.
I'm excited.
I had no idea there would be
the variety out there.
What do you think
about that cedar shake house?
I liked it.
It had that little
storybook thing going on,
under budget.
At $37,900,
it's 300 square feet.
Gave you the most
floor space.
Kind of a homey feel,
especially in the kitchen.
- The wood floors.
- Right.
But, once you got
upstairs into that loft,
- it was, like, crazy.
- Right.
Well, how did you feel
about the teal one?
It was different.
At 262 square feet,
it's priced at $55,000.
It didn't have any windows
on the outside, $55,000?
But just remember
there's a lot of things
that we can change
to lower that budget.
It felt good on the inside
because it had
all that warm wood,
the pine that wrapped
around the ceiling.
- It really did.
- I liked that it did that.
So what are you thinking
about the white cottage?
Kind of plain.
Kind of plain
but just a blank slate.
I'm kind of cool with that,
264 square feet...
only $2,000 over
budget at $44,000.
It is some added-in costs
that I kind of didn't want
to have thrown at me.
It's such a tough decision.
They all have so many
great things about them.
I loved the feel
of that teal cabin...
Yeah.
...but I think it's just
too far over budget.
I think it is, too.
I'm feeling like I can make
that little white cottage
into my little
whimsical house.
Yes, you can.
I can.
I love it.
That's my favorite.
Good.
Let's call Ethan.
I love it. Let's do it.
Oh, my gosh. Jen, this
place is coming together.
- I love it.
- Thanks, babe.
This is more something
that you should do
because we know
how uncoordinated I am.
I've only been living in here
for about three weeks.
I still have some things
that I want to get done,
but it's really comfortable.
Oh! I hung
my first thing.
My final price on
my tiny cottage was $44,000,
just barely over budget,
and I love it.
I was able to use
my antique buffet
as my whole kitchen piece.
I put my copper sink down in it,
and the cabinets
in it are serving
as my storage for my plates
and my pantry.
I have a really cool
set of stairs.
They have drawers that pull out
on the front steps.
I was able to incorporate
that for storage
and then to use my armoire
wardrobe as another step,
and then I step up
into the loft.
It's my pieces, but they're
serving a dual purpose.
Come on.
Head up, head up.
Come on.
A lot of my going tiny
had to do with
how close
I could get to my horse.
The farm owner out here
is absolutely fantastic.
He has rented me
a little piece of my own.
I am on the most beautiful
piece of property.
I have views of my horse barn
and of the mountains.
Being on horse property
is about as good as it gets.
So far, my favorite space
is right on my couch,
looking out my windows.
- So how's that loft?
- Seriously, I can make my bed.
Oh, wow.
You have all kinds
of space up here.
Up.
Come, come, come.
Look.
Come on.
Oh, come on.
Sophie digs living tiny.
She's got a dog door.
She's in and out all day long,
and she loves it.
This chandelier really gives
this room some character.
It's just
absolutely perfect.
You did such
a fantastic job.
You know, a couple more projects
and it's going to be great.
I have no regrets on going tiny.
Feels like home.
The best advice
I could give anybody
if they told me they wanted
to go tiny is do it.
I love it. I love my
whimsical little cottage.